Tanzanian music star Harmonize has found himself at the centre of controversy in Kenya after publicly showing support for President Samia Suluhu during Tanzania’s heated election period.
His failure to speak out against the violence and protests in his home country angered many Kenyans, and despite his attempts to repair his image, many people remained unconvinced.
Tanzanian artiste Harmonize recently visited Kenya, sparking a major online debate and even calls for a boycott of his shows.
Many Kenyans criticised him because he openly campaigned for President Samia Suluhu during the Chama Cha Mapinduzi rallies. He performed at several events, encouraging supporters to vote for Samia ahead of the October 29 election.
Why Were Kenyans Upset With Harmonize?
The Tanzanian election was overshadowed by claims of suppressing opposition voices and limiting political freedom. These actions triggered widespread demonstrations and clashes across Tanzania, where reports indicated that hundreds of people lost their lives at the hands of security forces.
Kenyans were particularly frustrated by Harmonize’s silence during this turbulent moment. Many expected him to speak against the violence happening in his home country, but he chose not to comment.
His arrival in Kenya on Tuesday, November 18, only intensified public outrage, especially after a video of him at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport started circulating online. Several Kenyans even vowed to boycott his performances.
Despite the criticism, Harmonize seemed determined to win back the hearts of his Kenyan fans, especially because Kenya remains a major contributor to his music streams and YouTube views. During his visit, he unveiled a freshly shaved bald look, later explaining that it was a tribute to Raila Odinga.
Why Did Harmonize Shave His Head?
Harmonize revealed that he cut his hair to mourn the “death” of Raila Odinga, fondly known as Baba. He admitted that he didn’t want to share the reason at first but later chose to speak after receiving compliments from fans about his new look.
“I did this for Baba. Respect for Baba. RIP Raila,” Harmonize said, expressing admiration for Raila Odinga.
How Kenyans Reacted to Harmonize’s Tribute
Although a few fans appreciated the gesture, many Kenyans responded with scepticism. They questioned why Harmonize would mourn Raila yet stay silent about the Tanzanians who died during the election violence.
Some of the reactions from Kenyans included:
- euphemiah_eva: “Isn’t this Pritty Vishy?”
- Rosekitoe: “It’s good that you shaved because of Baba. But what about your brothers and sisters in Tanzania who were killed?”
- Kagikayvonne: “Leave matters concerning Baba to us. Focus on your own country.”
- Aukobenter: “Don’t blackmail us. Any Tanzanian artiste who supported that lady, we don’t support them.”
- masase: “How can you honour Baba while supporting Samia?”
- jajan1438: “He should shave for the Tanzanians he betrayed. We are not falling for sympathy.”
- snowy_ess_capades: “When will you do it for Tanzania?”
These comments showed that many Kenyans were not convinced by Harmonize’s tribute, with several insisting that true compassion should start with speaking out about issues in his home country.
Larry Madowo’s Message to Samia Suluhu
In other related news, CNN journalist Larry Madowo criticised the Tanzanian government for its reaction to a documentary exposing police brutality during the October 29 elections.
The government tried to stop the documentary from being released, but Madowo and his team went ahead after weeks of verifying the evidence.
He pointed out that the Tanzanian authorities offered a vague and dismissive response, failing to address the seriousness of the violence shown in the footage.
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